Tri-County Business & Professional Women​

The Tri-County BPW participated in the 2018 Easley Spring Fling. Held on Saturday, April 14th, the members came together to make and sell infused olive oils. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the oils are put towards the Scholarship Program.

It was a beautiful day in Easley, and we were busy the entire day! We made many contacts for local non-profit organizations that we will have as guest speakers for upcoming meetings. We also gained three new members to our group as well as a full page of visitors.

Thank you to those who came out and not only signed up as visitors, joined as members, or stopped by to make a purchase. We are grateful to live in such a giving community!

Linda, Maddie, Jean, Nhora and Deena

Deena, Nhora, Miss Powdersville, Meg and Jean

The real star of the day, Miss Sophie

2017 Tri-County BPW Mingle & Jingle Party

The Tri-County BPW held a "Mingle & Jingle" themed holiday party! Held at Jean Wilson's home, the members, spouses and guests of TCBPW gathered to enjoy a festive holiday dinner where everyone brought a dish to contribute. After dinner, we enjoyed a few fun games where the winners won beautiful holiday decorations, supplied by Jean Wilson.

The night was a fun evening, filled with holiday cheer and it was nice to have time to sit and break bread together. Thank you Jean, for being a gracious host!

Throughout the 2016-2017 year, we are turning the spotlight on “Success Builders” in our school district. Each article in the “Success Builders” series focuses on programs and people who help our students meet the Profile of the 21st Century Graduate.

One of the most important relationships in Haley Johnson's life began with a meeting she dreaded.

"When I met Lynne, I thought it was just going to be a waste of my time. When I found out I was actually getting a mentor, I knew I wasn't going to change my ways. I knew she wouldn't be able to help me" she said.

Haley was a senior at Easley High School when she was paired with Lynne Mathis, a community volunteer for the YMCA's Y Mentor Program. Johnson describes her life at that point as a rough patch when she didn't care about school, graduation, or much of anything at all. But at their first meeting, Lynne saw past the struggle. "My first impression of Haley was that she was a beautiful young woman. In just talking to her the first time, I knew she could accomplish anything. She just needed someone to support her and cheer her on, Lynne said.

The Y Mentor program has a simple expectation for volunteers: meet with an at-risk student for at least 30 minutes a week, and try to be a positive influence. As Lynne met--and exceeded--this expectation with Haley, her vision for her mentee gradually became a reality.

"We talked through her choices of 'life after school' and how she could get there," Lynne said. "I remember telling her during our first or second meeting that it was already inside her; we just had to find it. We worked through a massive amount of seat time she had to make up, regular attendance practices, making up missed work and honing in on a post-graduation plan. We met with her counselors and teachers to get her to graduation. It was never a matter of not being able to do the work. It was having a person to be sure she was present, in class and doing her assignments."

"Lynne helped me in so many ways," Haley said. "I would go to school like once a week before I met her, or even go weeks without going to school. She changed my whole outlook on life. . . Lynne pushed me to be the best I could. She encouraged me and told me I could be anything I put my mind to. I can say if it wasn't for Lynne Mathis I wouldn't have been part of the 2016 graduating class."

Haley even surprised Lynne by choosing her for the robing ceremony at graduation. Since graduation, Haley attended cosmetology school before switching to pursue a career in nursing, recently earning her Certified Nursing Assistant license.

Lynne is still part of the mentoring program, building a relationship with a new student at Easley High School.

107 students in Pickens County are currently being served through the Y Mentor program, with life-changing results. The YMCA is always in need of more volunteers, and to anyone thinking of volunteering, Haley has a message:"You can help so many people out and change a life like Lynne changed mine. You will be giving a student a real chance at making something of herself--being a shoulder to lean on, a smile to see, encouragement to give and receive. Every student needs a role model or someone to look up to."

"You can help so many people out and change a life like Lynne changed mine. You will be giving a student a real chance at making something of herself--being a shoulder to lean on, a smile to see, encouragement to give and receive. Every student needs a role model or someone to look up to"